Dentist denied payment for Indigenous client to be repaid by government

Alberta Health says it has reached an "understanding" with Health Canadato reimburse a Calgary dentist who had been denied payment for work he'ddone on a First Nations patient.

Summer Dawn White Eagle, 20, was born with a bilateral cleft palate on theSiksikaFirst Nation in August, 1996. All children born with a cleft palate in Alberta are covered for the various dental and medical procedures that are necessary to repair the congenital deformity.

• Unequal treatment: First Nations woman denied medical coverage readily available to non-Indigenous

But for First Nations patients, the costs are supposed to be covered by both governments.Dr. Terry Lim, White Eagle's dentist,told CBC Newsthe federal program that covers the costs denied payment for White Eagle's two dental implants.

Theprosthodontistsaid he had never been denied a claim for implants for any of his cleft palate patients and feared First Nations children were being treated unfairly.

Health minister's office responds

A spokesperson for Health Minister Sarah Hoffman sent out a statement Wednesday stating Lim wouldbe covered for the work he did with White Eagle.

"Since this issue came to our attention, health officials have been working with the federal government's Non Insured Health Benefits team. We have reached an understanding to reimburse Dr. Terry Lim for the care he has given this individual," the statement said.

"The final payment will be determined after we receive the bill."

Earlier this weekHealth Canada said it had reached an agreement with the province, but Alberta Health only confirmed thedetails Wednesday.

Hoffman's spokesperson, Timothy Wilson, said the cost wouldbe split equally between the two levels of government.

Lim said he was owed approximately $3,000 for his work.